LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Four Democrats and three Republicans filed by Friday’s deadline to run for a northeast Arkansas state Senate seat vacated by a legislator who resigned after the state Ethics Commission said he spent thousands in campaign dollars on personal items.

The seven candidates are running to fill the remainder of former Sen. Paul Bookout’s term. Bookout, a Democrat and former president of the state Senate, resigned last month after the state Ethics Commission fined and reprimanded him over his campaign spending. Bookout was re-elected without any opposition last year and was serving a four-year term.

State Republican Party Chairman Doyle Webb said the special election will be a test for the GOP as it tries to build on its gains in next year’s election. Republicans hold 21 seats in the state Senate and Democrats hold 13, with Bookout’s seat vacant. The GOP won control of the Arkansas Senate and House in the November election for the first time since Reconstruction.

“The fact that we have three quality candidates running says that they have heard positive things about the good opportunity for a Republican to pick up that seat or they wouldn’t be seeking the nomination or running for that,” Webb said.

State Democratic Party Executive Director Candace Martin said she believed Democrats will be able to retain the seat. She said she expected upcoming debates in next year’s legislative session over funding for the state’s plan to use Medicaid funds to purchase private insurance for low-income workers and how to address rising teacher insurance costs will be major issues in the race.

“I think that leadership through an Arkansas Democrat will meet those immediate needs of the district,” she said.

Gov. Mike Beebe set Oct. 8 as the date of the Democratic and Republican primaries for the seat. If needed, a primary runoff will be held Nov. 12. The special election for the seat will be held Jan. 14. The Legislature convenes in February for a session focused primarily on budget issues.

The Ethics Commission last month said that Bookout spent thousands of campaign dollars illegally on clothing, home theater equipment and other personal items. A special prosecutor has been appointed to determine whether Bookout should face any charges.